How to Seduce a Queen: A Medieval Romance Novel by Stella Marie Alden Read Free Book Online Page A

will obey.” His hand clenched his sword, looking as if he would cleave someone in two.
    Nicholas gritted his teeth and managed to hold his tongue, but Ferguson was not done doling out punishments. He punched an iron fist into his stomach. Doubling over with pain, Nicholas sucked in the ether.
    “God’s blood, mon! Have ye no respect for the lady? Get dressed.” Ferguson pulled back his fist, ready to deliver another blow.
    Fay wedged herself between them. “Leave him be. He’s just a humble priest. What’s wrong with you?”
    He stalled at the door and sneered. “See if you can talk some sense into her, priest . I know you were in town. Explain how she needs a protector, not some priest married to Christ.”
    That much was true, Nicholas conceded.
    When he stomped off in a huff, she turned. “Out with it. What did you see?”
    How much should he tell her? He turned up a hoof from Ferguson’s charger and cursed under his breath. “This animal needs new shoes.”
    Her face skewed and hands shot to her hips. “Surely I’m not responsible for that, as well. Tell me. Now.”
    Her haughtiness brought the worst of him to the surface. A bit too roughly, he grabbed her shoulders, and pulled her back to his chest. Her hair smelled of sea salt and wild grasses. He moaned and fondled her soft, full, breast. “Would you like me to show you what you are responsible for? What you do to me?”
    Her eyes widened and she whispered, “Sean will return and kill you, or worse.”
    Letting her go, he found his wits, and ducked his head through his robe. “The village priest intends to burn you, lass.”
    “I will send that devil straight to his God.” The former queen of Man grabbed her bow and quiver, and stomped toward her mount while Loki yipped at her heels.
    When she tried to lift her saddle, Nicholas grabbed her upper arm. “Calm yourself. I’ve convinced him to wait.”
    She elbowed his tender gut, aggravating where Ferguson had just bruised him. “For what? Another coming of the so-called Christ?”
    “Och, no. For you to have a rebirth of faith. Proclaim it for him and for all to hear.” Angry, he turned her so they faced off, eye to eye.
    “I will do no such thing. I hate lies.” She narrowed her gaze and stuck out a pouty lower lip.
    He couldn’t imagine being so God-almighty arrogant about everything. As a bastard of Bruce, he’d been born from a lie. He would no doubt die from a lie.
    He shook her shoulders, the muscles of his aching belly still throbbing. “God’s Blood, m’lady. You must halt this behavior or fry. Your skin will bubble, your eyes’ll pop out of their holes, and you’ll scream for mercy, but there’ll be none to save you. And it will not end there. You’ll go straight to hell where the fires burn forever.”
    “I don’t believe any of that falderal. Let go of me.” She glowered and struggled until he let go, then stomped out of the stable cave.
    Following her up and around the outer walls, Nicholas stewed while she muttered a mix of Scot and Manx curses. She ducked under a low arch to enter the long hall by way of the outside ovens.
    When she squealed, he figured she was angry at yet some other nonsense. Instead, he was shocked as she hugged the new cook, apparently all else forgotten.
    “Haddr? You’ve returned?” A giant smile covered her face, making him wish he could put one there.
    “I would’ve come sooner, but the road’s been closed.” The village girl spat and made a familiar curse in the air.
    Then Eaton poked his head out from the oven, and winked at the lass. “Can you send in the youngest brat? We could use some more firewood.” Covering his nose, he threw Nicholas a bar of soap. “For the grace of God, leave us, mon, and bathe.”
    “Fine. The lady and I still have a conversation to finish.” He put a strong hand to Fay’s back that said he would not be dissuaded then walked them to the well-house in the middle of the plaza. Once there, he lowered a